HIV testing in Africa: how much does it cost... (8)
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Thank you to everyone who responded to my question regarding avail-
ability of HIV testing in Africa. I know it was a broad question, and
the responses that have been posted have been very helpful.
I think one issue that is often overlooked in considering the cost of
a health intervention is the in-country demand. In a recent issue of
the Lancet, two papers looked at both the efficacy of voluntary HIV-1
counselling and testing in individuals and couples, and the cost-
effectiveness of such testing in reducing transmission.
I think an important issue raised by the authors is that the demand
for such testing may increase, as access to treatments becomes some-
thing that individuals in the countries studied (Kenya, Tanzania and
Trinidad) feel is a possibility.
The sense I get is that until there is some perceived benefit to get-
ting tested (i.e. the possibility of treatment for oneself or to pre-
vent infection of a fetus) that outweighs the risks of stigma and the
associated consequences, the true demand for the test (the actual
amount an individual is willing to pay), will be low.
For those interested in the articles, they are available free of
charge at the lancet's website, http://thelancet.com, and the cita-
tions are:
Voluntary HIV-1 Counseling and Testing Efficacy Study Group, Vol.
356, July 8, 2000, p. 103; Sweat et al, Vol 356, July 8, 2000, p. 113
Again, thank you to everyone who answered.
Best regards,
Erica Seiguer
20 Chapel Street, #C406
Brookline, MA 02446, USA
Tel: +1-617-738-9746
Fax: +1-253-369-3002
Mobile: +1-617-501-3140
mailto:erica_seiguer@student.hms.harvard.edu
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